WhatsApp to get OneDrive backup and other features soon

Facebook-owned Whatsapp regularly updates its iOS and Android apps. However, it seems that the company is planning to bring a new update for its Windows 10 mobile app.Spandan Bhattacharjee | TNN | September 20, 2016, 10:31 IST

Facebook-owned Whatsapp regularly updates its iOS and Android apps. However, it seems that the company is planning to bring a new update for its Windows 10 mobile app.

The update, which is currently in its last phase of beta testing, enables OneDrive integration in WhatsApp. This can come in handy when backing up WhatsApp data while changing devices. The update is expected to be rolled out gradually to all users.

Until now, if users had to transfer data from one Windows device to another, the same wasn’t possible. In order to do so, users had to first install a third party app and then transfer their data to the downloaded app. Furthermore, users then had to transfer the data back into their new Windows devices through the same third party app. This seriously compromised user data and privacy.

Whatsapp already supports cloud-backup on services from other platforms such as Android (Google Drive) and Apple (iCloud). However, the update comes with a new challenge. It will likely make it even more difficult to switch between platforms. Should users want to transfer from a Windows-based device to an Android or iOS device, it would indeed be very difficult. A direct transition would, however, rectify this feature.

The company will be also adding a new camera icon for sharing pictures and videos in the new update. Already available on other operating systems, the feature allows users to share photos and videos directly through the app itself, without having to switch or toggle between other applications.